East Cambridgeshire Councillor James Lay now Independent

Cllr James Lay was elected as a Conservative councillor in 2023 to represent Woodditton on East Cambridgeshire District Council.

However, he has decided to leave the party and is now an Independent councillor in the newly-established Liberal Democrats and Independent Group.

Councillor James Lay is now an Independent councillor. (Image: East Cambridgeshire District Council) On his decision to leave the Conservative Group, Cllr Lay said that the residents of Woodditton "deserve an explanation" over his departure.

He said: "Under the Conservatives, too many decisions have been made behind closed doors without debate in council.

"The full council meets only five times a year, to restrict and control debate. By contrast, neighbouring South Cambridgeshire, West Suffolk, Fenland, Babergh, and Huntingdonshire meet eight times a year.

"Conservatives on East Cambridgeshire are told what to think, and theirs is not a happy ship.

"Major decisions in the next six months may bring matters to a head and we may see further changes in the Conservative Group then."

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Cllr Lay said that his decision to leave the Conservative Group was not "easy". 

Councillor Anna Bailey, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said Cllr Lay had "deserted" the Conservative Group. (Image: East Cambridgeshire District Council) Councillor Anna Bailey, who is the Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council and the Conservative Group, said that Cllr Lay's decision was "disappointing".

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She added: "The people of Woodditton Ward voted for a Conservative candidate when they voted for James Lay and it is disappointing that he has deserted us and let residents down."

East Cambridgeshire District Council is now made up of 14 Conservative Group members and 14 Liberal Democrat and Independent Group members.

The Liberal Democrat and Independent Group has submitted a request for the Chair of East Cambridgeshire District Council to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting to agree the proportionality of the council following Cllr Lay's decision to become an Independent councillor.

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